'I am aware of your interest'

Hi everybody,

I just saw this movie a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it. Had a question, though. In the scene right after the meeting with the ambassador, Anna and the king are sitting alone at the dinner table and he gives her his ring as a gift. Right before this, though, he says something along the lines of "I am aware of your interest. I wish to say you have been of great help to me in this endeavor."

What did he mean by "aware of your interest"?